Jesca Hoop initially gains a crowd silence almost unprecendented for an unknown acoustic support act, but it's probably mainly due to the singer of tonight's headliners putting in a (quiet) word before hand. Mr. Garvey also comes out to duet with her for a song, but it's not so easy to see what he sees in her as on record.
Her songs are fascinatingly snaking things, never repeating a melody or lyrical phrase when they can take a new twist instead. But they are also too abstract to really get a grip on when supported by only an acoustic guitar and gradually start to merge into one.
I have talked about seeing Elbow in a 'what more is there to say now?' type way the previous/10th time that I saw them.
Well forget that, because tonight is defintiely different, and produces something special and rare. The first of 3 (three!) sold out shows at the Roundhouse opens with the blinding romantic fanfare of "Starlings" and a beats-heavy "The Bones of You". And then Guy Garvey stops to ask if we are ok, and just can't wait to tell us how happy Elbow are. 'Some very good things have happened to us in the past few months. I won't say any more because I don't want to be smug'. Cheers and grins all round, and the beginning of an delightfully celebratory night.
He goes back on that intention numerous times, but the most notable is when he stops before "Mexican Standoff" to happily point out: 'It just occurred to me. This sold out before we won the Mercury prize'. Massive cheers. That's it. This feels like a turning point, a lenghty, heartfelt thank you to everyone who believed in them all along, from a band who now justifiably completely believe in themselves and are ready to embrace newcomers and the Wembley Arenas of this world. No one here begrudges them that, because it's how we've felt that things should be all along, and because they've made no compromises to get there and are in some ways better than ever. Certainly no one begrudges them playing eight out of eleven songs from The Seldom Seen Kid.
It's the first time I've seen them do "Some Riot", and it's breathtaking, pared down to deeply menacing strings and raw anger no less vital than "Coming Second" of years ago. Then there's "Weather to Fly", a warm little song about the potential of bands. It's begun acoustically with all five gathered in a huddle, hugging on the way. 'One little room and the biggest of plans' it says tonight, and look, look how those plans finally paid off! "One Day Like This" as the party finale completely makes sense after that cynicism destroying number, freed from highlights-reel soundtracking by force of singing, balloons and confetti everywhere.
For the encore? A rare and heartbreaking "Scattered Blacks and Whites", and before that "Station Approach", dedicated to their mums. It's that sort of night.
(thanks to A for bizarre cameraphone photo! Some more photos here)
4 comments:
God damn. I am so, so jealous of you. It physically pains me that I have never seen them live.
11 Times. By golly, you should be granted VIP passes at this point.
Roundhouse is a top venue. I have seen two of my favourite gigs there (SFA ; Ash performing 1977). Looking forward to paying it more visits in the future.
Anyway, completely off-topic, but you may want to mark your calendar for this.
Yeah, Roundhouse is a really great place.
There is a link, since 1977 is of similar vintage! Anyway, I already know about that and haven't got tickets yet, though I suppose I probably will. I've seen them play all the songs from it in recent years and don't hold any amazing affection for how they all go together.
Now if they did a Science & Nature show, or even a Return to the Last Chance Saloon one, that would be a different matter!
Ian: I really hope you get to see them! World domination must surely be next on their list soon.
I was supposed to see them and Doves once years ago, and family events intervened.
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